Water and sediment quality within the Ningaloo Marine Park and Muiron Islands Marine Management Area

This project will undertake water and sediment quality surveys at appropriate control sites and in areas of the reserves that are, or may have been, exposed to contaminant inputs, particularly in relation to the diffuse or direct entry of wastewater, hydrocarbons and anti-fouling materials. Site selection has been based upon Cary and Grubba (2000) who incorporated 33 coral monitoring sites along the coastline from Bundegi Reef in the north (Exmouth Gulf) to Bills Bay in the South. These sites were established to monitor the impact of both broad scale human influences from large shore-based developments and also localised human activities including campsites, mooring areas, dive sites and boat ramps. A further three sites were added to this list to include the Muiron Islands Marine Management Area. Limited resources only allow a single survey to be undertaken to generate a baseline index of contamination.

本项目将在适宜的管控点位及保护区内已受或可能受污染物输入影响的区域开展水与沉积物质量调查，重点针对以分散或直接方式进入环境的废水、碳氢化合物及防污材料展开相关监测。点位遴选依据Cary与Grubba（2000）的研究方案，该研究在北起埃克斯茅斯湾（Exmouth Gulf）的邦德基礁（Bundegi Reef）、南至比尔湾（Bills Bay）的海岸沿线布设了33个珊瑚监测点位。该批点位最初设立，用于监测两类人类活动的环境影响：一是大型岸基开发项目带来的大范围人类活动影响，二是露营地、停泊区、潜水点及船艇坡道等局地人类活动的影响。后续新增3个监测点位，将缪伦群岛海洋管理区（Muiron Islands Marine Management Area）纳入本次调查范围。受限于现有资源，本次仅能开展单次调查以构建污染基线指数。